The Rules of Royalty

On Jamie Johnson’s 17th birthday, his adoptive American mother informs him that his biological father is the king of Mitanor, a sunny country near Spain. Though reserved Jamie insists “there’s nothing royal about me,” his father asks northern European prince Erik Lindstrom, also 17, to befriend Jamie and answer his questions. Soon both princes are invited to the Cristalia Palace in Mitanor for the summer where Erik coaches Jamie in all things royalty such as etiquette, presentation, and posture. The boys are immediately smitten, and Erik relishes the break from his life playing second fiddle to his straight, engaged older brother. But Erik’s gram has another suitor picked out for him, one meant to boost diplomatic relations and appearances, and when the media learns of Jamie’s identity, challenges mount. Immediate and emotional first-person chapters alternating between Jamie and Erik detail the highs and lows of royal teenage life in this slow-burn romance by Dietrich (The Pledge), which is studded with high-society extravagance and old-world charm and which paints a familiar and convincing portrait of the responsibilities and excesses of a monarchy. Ages 13–up. Agent: Moe Ferrara, BookEnds Literary. (Dec.)